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The world health report

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Chapter 4

Public policies for the public’s health

Public policies in the health sector, together with
those in other sectors, have a huge potential to
secure the health of communities. They represent an important
complement to universal coverage and
service delivery reforms. Unfortunately,
in most societies, this potential is largely
untapped and failures to effectively
engage other sectors are widespread.
Looking ahead at the diverse range of
challenges associated with the growing
importance of ageing, urbanization and
the social determinants of health, there
is, without question, a need for a greater
capacity to seize this potential. That is why a drive for better
public policies – the theme of this chapter – forms a third
pillar supporting the move towards PHC, along with universal
coverage and primary care.